LOVE

I am IN LOVE with my new washer and dryer.  After using cheap freebies given to me by my first Columbus apartment rental agreement for over 9 years (long life!!), I finally got something new and modern and just couldn't be happier with them!  Our old dryer had a sharp piece of metal that used to catch and snag and leave rust stains on just about anything.  The more it stained brand new baby clothes and some of Paul's favorite shirts, the stronger my case.  About a month ago, Paul gave in to my pleading for a new dryer with one request - nothing too fancy or over the top.  2 days later, after HE shopped online, HE determined that we should buy both a washer and a dryer AND invest in something a bit nicer.  We debated the front load vs. top load and after much research and looking for the best prices, we went with the Maytag Bravos high efficiency top load and the matching Bravos dryer with the steam option. 

They were delivered yesterday afternoon (happy belated mother's day to me!!!) and after a few installation delays, I did the inaugural first load of laundry at about 8am this morning.  They are wonderful.  I can't even begin to name all the features that I already love.  The dryer has a light you can turn on and off in the drum, they are so quiet I have to listen for the chime to know when something is done, there is a spot for fabric softener (which is a product I haven't used since I lived at home over 10 years ago!), the washer spins so good some items come out feeling about 85% dry....  I seriously could just keep going.  :D   Probably my favorite thing so far is the just the overall increase in capacity.  My first two loads I brought fairly full baskets down and actually had to go back upstairs looking for more items to fill the space.  Nice....  With our old machines, I knew that 1 full basket would fill the washer, possibly even overfill.  And now I'm running around the house looking for dirty items to add.  Guess I better get a bigger basket.  ;)

Anyway, here are few pictures.  Used my phone so not the best quality.  I took better pics with our camera and more of the machines in operation.  I suppose those might make it to smug mug eventually.  Aren't they just beautiful?!?  I love all the buttons and lights and timers.....     

See how the drum is lit, even when the door is closed.  You can look for something without even opening the door. 

And now, I must go get the sheets out of the dryer and start another load.  I'm actually enjoying doing laundry - at least for this weekend anyway.  Hmmmm... if only I could find someone to fold and put it all away!  :D

Happy Mother's Day

It's pretty rare to get a picture with both girls looking good, let alone Mommy too.  Now if only Daddy wasn't behind the camera but standing with us as well.  Oh well, 2 out of 3 isn't bad.  :)  I love this picture and how it's just so "them".  Amelia is close but not too close (I'm pretty sure she's holding my hand) and looking a bit mischevious.  And Penelope is snuggled right up to me, sucking her thumb. 

I love these two girls more than I ever thought I could love anyone or anything.  And on this Mother's Day, I have been reflecting all day on just how lucky I am to be their Mommy.  It's been quite a ride over the past 18 months (or 26 if you count the months carrying them too!) and each day with my girlies just gets better.  Sure, we have rough days and times that definitely wouldn't win me a "Mom of the Year" award but that doesn't mean the love doesn't grow a little more each and every day.  I kiss them "good night" every night thinking I couldn't possibly love them any more, that my heart just can't hold any more love.  But I do.  And it does.  Amazing...this motherhood thing...        

Favorites

My two favorite girls in their pretty Easter dresses. 

The Easter Egg Hunt

With their "ears" on...but it was windy that day and they didn't last long (couple minutes at most).  Don't let Amelia's sad face fool you.  She liked wearing them - really!

Amelia was good at putting (and keeping) the eggs in her little basket.

Check out the hair...like I said, it was windy.  :D

All done... and outta here.

And with that, so am I.  It is late and Blogger is giving me a headache.  Blogspot changed some of the ways to post and upload pictures and while I think it'll be easier in the long run, it's trial and error this first go round.  Oh, and I think I've finally found a background I'm happy with.  Just need to get the banner finished up and the makeover is complete.  For now anyway... :)

In Transition

If you haven't noticed already (how could you NOT though!), the blog is having some comestic work done. Because really, who couldn't use a little of that every now and again. :) Anyway, I thought I had one I was happy with but I've been visiting a few other "free background" sites and now I'm not so sure. Decisions Decisions.... I suppose I better hurry up and make up my mind before Paul puts too much effort into my banner project. Yes, the banner at the top is still incomplete. I'm thinking about going with a "less is more" theme and kind of tone down the colors and flowers and scrolls. Maybe a softer, all-one-color background and a matching banner at the top... What do you think? If you have an opinion, leave me a comment. Since Thursday is our favorite TV night, I won't be doing much with the blog design again until Friday. And until I get my favorite Easter Egg Hunt pictures chosen and posted, here are a few from our little Easter basket opening at home.


There were lots of little things in their baskets, but Amelia really liked the purple felt "purse". And of course, pulling the plastic eggs out one at a time to hand to me.

Both girls had fun playing with the eggs. They liked opening and closing them. They haven't learned yet that there is supposed to be candy inside. Think we'll be able to fool them again next year?!?

Studying the new wooden puzzles. Definitely their best gift. They love those things. And I love how the puzzles can entertain them independently for several minutes. It's really cute when they get tired of the one in their lap and trade off with each other. It's nice to know that they CAN share toys when they want to.

One Year Ago Today - May 1, 2009

Hello, It's Paul. I don't post very often. I think this is my second post, the first being when I campaigned for a BMW GS, which I still want. Anyway, we shoot lots of video. We don't do much with it and I feel bad about that. So, today I am kicking off an exciting, new, hopefully ongoing, series of posts called "One Year Ago Today". As best I can tell, on May 1, 2009, Amelia was just getting the hang of the jumper and still needed a blanket under her feet to fully reach the floor. Please enjoy this clip from the archive. I have no recollection of Amelia ever being this small, but I guess I have video evidence... (If you click on the little square arrow button next to the vimeo logo, the video will go full screen.)

Amelia - May 1, 2009 from April & Paul Clopton on Vimeo.